Labor Day Getaways

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As summer winds down, many travelers will take advantage of the final long weekend of the season with a Labor Day getaway. AAA booking data shows that Alaska cruises, national parks, Central Oregon, the Oregon Coast, Disneyland and Las Vegas are the most popular destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Memorial Day always kicks off the summer travel season, while Labor Day marks its close. Labor Day weekend is usually busier than other weekends in August and September, but travel volumes are lower than Memorial Day and Independence Day. With many schools already back in session or starting soon, families often choose shorter trips closer to home. Travelers without school-age children, however, often use Labor Day to launch the fall travel season, taking advantage of cooler temperatures, smaller crowds and off-peak pricing. This is also an excellent time to book holiday travel, and plan ahead for trips next spring and summer.

“Many travelers are eager to enjoy one last summer getaway over the Labor Day weekend before fall routines resume,” says Doreen Loofburrow, senior vice president of travel at AAA Oregon/Idaho. “Alaska cruises are especially popular this time of year. Ships are typically less crowded than earlier in the summer, and while the weather is a bit cooler than in July and August, it remains pleasant and offers opportunities to see wildlife and early fall color.”

Most expenses for Labor Day travel are more expensive this year. Domestic flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and gas prices cost more than in 2025. But rental cars and international flights cost less. Find details below.

Top Labor Day destinations

Here are the top destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho based on searches and bookings:

Alaska cruises are very popular, with Anchorage and the cruise port cities of Seattle and Vancouver B.C. making the lists of the most popular regional and international destinations.

Disneyland and Las Vegas are also perennial favorites.

The top regional destinations for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho are Central Oregon, Portland, the Oregon Coast, Portland, Medford/Ashland, Boise, Billings and Redding. Central Oregon, Boise, Billings, Redding, and Seattle are all within driving distance of popular national parks. Many will visit national parks over the holiday weekend. Some of the favorites for members of AAA Oregon/Idaho include Bryce Canyon National Park, Crater Lake National Park, Glacier National Park, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Olympic National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Zion National Park.

Labor Day gas prices

Those taking a road trip for the Labor Day holiday will find gas prices are significantly more expensive than last year.

The national average is currently $4.10 and the Oregon average is $4.77 (as of August 26, 2026). Last year on Labor Day, the national average was $3.19 and the Oregon average was $3.98.

“Nationally, drivers will pay the highest prices ever for gas over Labor Day, while Oregon drivers will pay close to the previous high price for the holiday set in 2022,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.

Find current gas prices here: https://gasprices.aaa.com/

Find Oregon gas price news here: https://info.oregon.aaa.com/oregon-gas-prices/

Gas and diesel prices remain elevated, due to higher crude oil prices from the Iran conflict, closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refining infrastructure.

Best and worst times to drive

INRIX, a global provider of transportation data and insights, says unlike longer holiday periods, travel over Labor Day weekend tends to be concentrated within a short window. Many travelers will hit the road after work on Thursday or during the day on Friday. That will bring holiday traffic onto roads that are already carrying normal commuter volumes. Saturday is expected to be extra busy with many heading out of town on day trips.

“Leave early in the day and avoiding the middle of the afternoon whenever possible. Even leaving an hour or two earlier can make a big difference,” says Dodds. “Monitor traffic and navigation apps, listen to traffic reports on the radio, and check road and weather conditions at TripCheck or your local transportation department. These tools can help you avoid the worst congestion,” says Dodds.

Airfare, hotel, rental car, cruise and tour costs 

Flights: AAA finds that travelers are paying more for domestic flights and less for international flights for Labor Day travel compared to 2025

• Domestic flights are 2% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to last year
• Average price for a domestic roundtrip flight is $750.
• The price is even higher for people who are traveling to the top domestic destinations. AAA booking data shows those flights are 20% higher than last year, averaging nearly $790 per ticket.
• International flights are 4% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
• Average price for an international roundtrip ticket is $1,240.

Hotels: AAA finds hotel prices are more expensive than in 2025.

• Domestic hotels are 9% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
• Average booking cost for a domestic hotel stay (which is typically a few nights) is $570. That’s the average price of domestic hotel bookings through AAA – not a nightly rate.
• International hotels are 12% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
• Average booking cost for an international hotel stay (which is typically a few nights) is $690. That’s the average price of international hotel bookings through AAA – not a nightly rate.

Rental Cars: Car rental rates in the U.S. and abroad are less expensive than in 2025.

• Domestic car rentals are 8% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
• Average booking cost for a rental car (which is typically several days) is $450 total – not the daily rate.
• International car rentals are 15% cheaper this Labor Day weekend compared to last year.
• Average booking cost for a rental (which is typically several days) is $730 – not the daily rate.
• AAA car rental partner Hertz says Friday, September 4 will be the busiest pick-up day.

Cruises: AAA finds that cruises departing from the U.S. are cheaper, while cruises from international cities are more expensive this year.

• Cruises departing from domestic cities are 4% cheaper this Labor Day weekend.
• Average cost for cruises departing from domestic cities is $2,700.
• Cruises departing from international cities are 16% more expensive this Labor Day weekend.
• Average cost for cruises departing from international cities is $4,690.

Tours: AAA finds U.S. tours cost more while tours in cities abroad cost less this year.

• Tour prices in domestic cities are 12% more expensive this Labor Day weekend compared to 2025.
• Average cost for a domestic tour is $2,490.
• Tours in international cities are 9% cheaper this Labor Day weekend.
• Average cost for an international tour is $3,415.

For help in planning your trip, AAA.com/travel or call (800) 529-3222 to reach a AAA travel agent.

Tips for those flying this Labor Day

Air travel volumes reached record levels this summer, and that trend is expected to continue over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Friday, September 4 is expected to be the busiest departure day of the holiday weekend, and Thursday, September 3 will be the second-busiest. Most travelers will fly home on Monday, September 7, which is Labor Day.

Days that will be less crowded at airports are Tuesday, September 1, Wednesday, September 2 and Saturday, September 5.

AAA has tips for air travelers:

• Download your airline’s app to keep up to date on your flight status, including checking one last time right before you leave for the airport. Allow push notifications so the airline can alert you of any changes.
• Check-in online for flights 24 hours ahead.
• Arrive at the airport at least two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international. Expect long security lines due to the spike in travelers.
• Airport parking lots will likely be at or near capacity. Many airports including Portland International airport let you check current availability https://www.flypdx.com/Parking. Some parking facilities let you book in advance. 
• Consider taking transit, using a ride sharing service or taxi, or getting a ride with a friend or family member to the airport so you don’t have to park onsite.
• Carry your bags on your flight instead of checking them. If you do need to check bags, bring medications, a change of clothes, comfortable shoes, and any other necessary items with you on the flight. That way you’ll have provisions if your checked bags get lost or delayed. Make sure your bags have name tags, and also put your name and contact info inside each bag. Consider using a luggage tracker. 
• Bring a refillable water bottle and plan ahead for meals and snacks. Airport restaurants can be very busy with long lines at times, making it challenging to order food if you have a short connection time. Many airlines allow you to pre-order food up to 24 hours before your flight. The TSA allows solid foods through screening but liquids or gels (such as yogurt) must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
• Consider booking a flight during non-peak travel periods to cut down on wait times. In general, early morning flights tend to have fewer delays and cancellations than flights later in the day.
• Sign up for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and/or CLEAR before your trip to expedite the security screening process. However, even these check-in lanes will be busier than usual. And confirm that the airports you use offer CLEAR as it’s not available at all airports.

AAA to the rescue this Labor Day weekend

AAA is ready to help drivers throughout the Labor Day holiday travel period. The most common issues are dead batteries, flat tires, emergency towing, and lockouts.

Last year, AAA responded to more than 404,000 requests for roadside assistance nationwide, including more than 4,300 here in Oregon.

AAA makes it easy to request assistance—by phone or text (1-800-AAA-HELP), or with the AAA Mobile app—and members can track the service technician’s progress as they make their way to your vehicle.

Before heading out on a road trip, make sure your vehicle is ready. Have it inspected by a trusted repair shop, such as one of the more than 7,000 AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities across North America.

Be prepared for emergencies with a well-stocked emergency kit including jumper cables, a flashlight with extra batteries, first-aid kit, a basic toolkit, jackets and blankets, and drinking water and snacks for all passengers and pets. Bring power cords and power banks so you can charge your phones and devices. Share your itinerary with family or friends so that authorities know where to start looking for you if you don’t reach your destination.

“Don’t leave home without an emergency kit. Bring water, non-perishable snacks, blankets and extra clothing to help keep everyone comfortable during long delays. Crashes can tie up traffic for hours, and if you break down or get stuck in a remote area, you may not have cell service,” says Dodds. “Also, stay informed about weather, such as flash flood warnings, and wildfires as they can significantly disrupt travel with road closures and reduced visibility. Be sure to steer clear of impacted areas.”

Find more info on getting road-trip ready at AAA.com/summerprep

Source: AAA